People & Appointments

New partners and legal director strengthen Thrings’ leadership team

Natalia Sokolov, Robert Barnes and Alice AltounyanSwindon-based law firm Thrings has appointed three new partners and a legal director as part of its annual round of promotions.

Natalia Sokolov, Robert Barnes and Alice Altounyan increase the size of Thrings’ partnership to 62, while Rebecca Balmforth becomes the Top 100 law firm’s fifth legal director.

Natalia is a construction specialist who acts for contractors, banks, developers and consultants on a range of non-contentious construction procurement advice, contract preparation and negotiation matters. She is a former chair of the South West branch of the Association of Women in Property.

Robert acts for a broad range of national and international clients on commercial property transactions with a particular specialism in secured lending, acquisitions and disposals and development projects.

Alice is a member of Thrings’ South West private property team, who is experienced in all types of transactions involving residential properties, including listed buildings, leasehold sales and purchases, plot sales and purchases, remortgages, assents and transfers of equity.

As legal director – a role introduced by Thrings in 2016 as an alternative to the traditional partner route – Rebecca will also help develop the firm’s commercial property work, manage relationships with key clients and mentor junior fee earners.

All four newly-promoted solicitors will work with colleagues in Thrings’ offices in Swindon, Bristol, Bath, London and Romsey.

The promotions also mark a continuation of Thrings’ commitment to organic growth and follow last month’s appointment of Robyn Rumble, Alexia Aradipiotis and Carys Webb’s as newly-qualified solicitors.

Simon Holdsworth, managing partner of Thrings, said: “Thrings remains fully committed to investing in its staff, and while we continue to attract industry-leading legal experts from outside the firm, we also believe in harnessing the skills of our own talented lawyers and working with them to achieve their individual professional objectives.

“I would like to congratulate Natalia, Robert, Alice and Rebecca, who have consistently demonstrated an ability to understand and respond to their clients’ legal needs. Their promotions not only acknowledge their commitment and contribution to the firm, but also offer them the opportunity to influence its future direction.

“Having recently stated its long-term commitment to clients in the south of England, Thrings is entering the start of the new financial year with a clear strategy. I have every confidence that all four promoted solicitors will excel in their new senior positions while continuing to deliver the high quality legal advice our commercial and private clients have come to expect.”